Hard to believe that it’s been nearly 30 years since Cheap Trick released their thirteenth, and most underrated album, ‘Woke Up With A Monster.’ In the fandom world of Cheap Trick, it’s legendary. But in the mainstream rock world, it’s unfortunately an overlooked gem that failed to perform up to expectations. Resulting in a quick in ‘n out at Warner Bros. records.
By the early 90’s Cheap Trick has surmounted a pretty big comeback of sorts. A number one single in 1988, a top ten and top 30 album. Numerous MTV spots. Things were going pretty well. To the point that Warner Bros. decided to sign the band for their next record. The company had convinced the boys from Rockford that, like Aerosmith, the early 90’s were a perfect time to mount an even bigger comeback than the 80’s. That the alternative bands that had risen from Seattle all worshipped them and they would fit right in. And maybe Warners would have been right. Had they actually promoted the album. But they didn’t and ‘Woke Up With A Monster’ died a quiet commercial death.
It’s a damn shame too. Because it’s a pure return to form from the first four studio albums. It’s everything Cheap Trick fans would want. But with better production. ‘My Gang’ and the title track are one of the most solid starts to any Cheap Trick album. ‘You’re All I Wanna Do,’ ‘Never Run Out Of Love’ and ‘Didn’t Know I Had It’ are timeless ballad classics. No matter what era. Unfortunately, the market at the time didn’t favor the sound as a whole. Despite the love of Cheap Trick during the 90’s. ‘Ride the Pony’ also didn’t do the band any favors. As it sounds like a track left over from the Top Gun soundtrack.
However, the back end of the album is stellar all the way through. ‘Girlfriends’ and ‘Let Her Go’ ring with classic Cheap Trick tropes. ‘Let Her Go’ providing some killer Tom Peterson bass work. ‘Cry Baby’ is a killer blues track that permeates perfection. ‘Tell Me Everything’ would have fit perfectly in the alternative rock climate had it been released five years later. ‘Love Me For A Minute’ is an excellent album closer. Bun E. Carlos hits the phat drum groove hard. Tom Peterson and Rick Neilson provide solid ambience to the track. A strong statement on finishing a great record.
All in all the album probably should have been a hit. But the musical climate and record company simply would not let it be. And ‘Woke Up With A Monster’ was the first album from Cheap Trick to not even crack the top 100. Warners quickly dropped the group soon after. But Cheap Trick soldiered on. And despite their lack of commercial success, ended up releasing some of their strongest material. From the ’97 self titled to their most recent ‘In Another World.’ It’s all gold. And Cheap Trick never losses who they are.
